Airplane toy and instructor apparatus



Sept. n, 1934.

J. we lslNGl-:R

AIRPLANE TOY AND INSTRUCTOR APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR www BY TTORNEY Sept. 11, 1934. K J, wElslNGER 1,973,592

AIRPLANE -TOY AND INSTRUCTOR APPARATUS V, V/l/ f4 A,

INYENTOR 40;!

ATTTORNEY Patented Sept. 11,1934

AIRPLANE Tor ANn ms'ravcroa APPARATUS Joseph Weisinger, Newark, N. J.

Application June 23, 1930, Serial No. 462,985

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for demonstrating the various movements and controls of airplanes by means of alreduced but accurate copy of the same.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device by which such demonstrations can be effectually carried out, whereby a student in the art of flying may be taught the rudimentary actions necessary for the proper maneuvering of the airplane, prior to making actual flights.

Another feature isin the provision of a mech# anism containing actual controls, so that the operation of each is actually imposed upon the model airplane. l

Another purpose is to,produce a device of the character described -of a. simple nature, and so arranged that the operator has complete view of the model at all times, noting the eiect of each control independently of another, and also the 20 combined effect of several controls at one time.

These several advantageous objects are attained by the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings forming 4a part of this disclosure, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a complete demonstrating apparatus, as made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view'of the same, parts being broken away in order to disclose the construction.

Figure 3 is a partial side elevational, partial sectional view of a portion of the `apparatus and model airplane as engagedtherewith..

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view. taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 5,.

Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 3; showing the operative connections between the control mechanism and airplane.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line '6-6 of Figure 3. v

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the airplane showing the control fconnections.

The apparatus consists of a base 10 having at one end an operators seat 11, from which convenient access may be had to a joystick 12, and a rudder-bar or foot lever 13 pivoted at 14 on a stem raised from the base 10.

Further in front of the seat are raised sides 15. forming part of a cabinet closed at the front 16 and provided with a platform 17 at its top.

Extending downwardly from the platform is a partition 18, in front of which is instrument board 19, and extending upwardly at thesides are lbeams 20 connected by a cross piece 21 on ventional type of plane having substantially all of the several parts used in actual construction, and consists of a body 30 tapering toward the' rear and having on its extreme rear end, the iixed elements 31, of elevators having hinged portions 32 and also a vertical rudder 33.

The model plane .is further provided with upper wings 34, having ailerons 35 and rigid wings 36 directly therebelow.

Mounted between the wings 34-36 are motors 37 driving propellers 38; the same being so arranged as to force a current of air rearwardly of the wings and by which a lifting effect is'obtained.

'I'he platform 17 has near its forward endan opening 17f, in which is loosely received a cylindrical casing 40, the same being screw-threaded onv the upper end of the .tubular guide 27, which enters slightly within the casing.

This casing is normally supported by a anged member-41, adapted to extend over the openings 17' to rest-upon the platform 17.

Formed Within the airplane body'30 is a rigid conical casing 42, bolted or otherwise vsecured to the bottom of the casing shell, and fixed tothe lower side of the casing 42 is a plate 43 having an opening provided with semi-circular walls 44 directly below the point of the cone 42 adapted to engage the curved portion 45 of a conical support 46, the angle of which is considerably less than that of the cone 42 which rests on the apex of the support element 46.

The support 46 is xed upon a bar or rod 47 passing axially through the casing 40, and provided with an adjustable stop collar 48 to limit the downward movement of the airplane. This bar 47 is rigidly set in the upper Wall o1' the casing, as best seen in Figure 3.

Pivotally-engaged upon the collar 48 is a bellcrank lever, its vertical arm 49 having a slot 50 s lidably through the upper end of tle casing 40,

40 but, 'when the body of the airplane is caused to and connected at 55 with a Bowden wire 56, the casing 57 of which is adapted to pass freely through the guide tube 27.

The issuing end of the Bowden wire casing, after passing from the tube, rests upon a pin 58 set laterally in the supports 23 and thence continues to a bracket 59, the end ofthe wire 56 being operated by the rudder-bar or foot lever 13 thus as the lever is actuated it will be seen that the airplane model will be turned upon its axis to a limited degree.

-The directional rudder 33 has a lateral extending pin 63 connected by a wire 65 by a link to a Ypin 65' projecting from the bar 47.

y The elevators 32 are connected together and one'has set in its under side a stem 60 connected by another Bowden wire 61, passing through a casing 61' entering the lower portion of the conical element 42, and is fastened by a= link to 'a collar or sleeve 72 rotatably engaging the bar 47. A slidable rod 62' has one end fixed to the airplane the other end connecting with a' Bowden wire 62,passing through the casing 62" over the pin 58 and connecting with a projec-` tion on the front lower portion of the joystick 12.

Bowden wires 70 connected to the ailerons 35 pass through the casings 70' entering the vconical element 42, and the wires 70 are fastened by a link tothe sleeve 72. A slidable rod64' has one end xed to the airplane, the other end connecting with a Bowden wire 64 within the casing 64 which passes over the pin 58 to connect with a projection on the joystick 12.

Movement of joystick 12 in direction of arrow a--a moves wire 64v in casing 64", pushing or pulling rod 64 and tipping the airplane body sidewise. Since the collar or sleeve 72 is xed with relation to the body of the airplane and the ailerons are connected to this sleeve by means of the wires 70 in casings 70', the ailerons will not move,

to move by operation of the joystick will assumeA a position relative to the body of the airplane, corresponding to actual position thereof when thel airplane is in night. K Movement of rudder bar 13 acts on wire 56 in casing 57 pushingfor pulling rod dconnected to bell-crank 49h-49. Through pin and slot connection 50-51, plane is caused to turn.

Since the directional rudder 33 is connected by the wire 65 to the pin 65 projecting from the bar 47 and since the bar 4v is nxed with relation to tnef body of the airplane, the rudder will not move, but, when the body of the airplane is caused to move by operation of the rudder bar, will assume a position, relative to the body Vof the airplane, corresponding to actual position thereof, when the airplane is in ight.

Mounted on one of the cabinet sides k15, is a rheostat 66having an operating lever 67 by which -current is controlled, current passing through conductors 68 leading' upwardly through the guide tube 27 to the motors 37, thus rendering it possible to actuate the propellers at a variety of speeds. The rheostat may be provided with a coin operated mechanism which when a coin is inserted in a slot provided therefor the handle 67 will be released;

As the propeller is set in operation to force a current of air rearwardly the model airplane is caused to rise, and due to its attachment to the cone 46, will raise the guide tube and Bowden" wires carried therein, all these several parts being very nearly, but not quite, equal in weight to the counterbalance elements 25.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the airplane may be directed in whatever path it is desired, caused to tilt or turn on the conical point or to roll limitedly thereon.

Thus all the essential features of a normal air= plane are brought under the control of an operator who by practicing on the apparatus may obtain a very full and comprehensive knowledge of the art of ilylng.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of embodiment of this invention I am well aware that other modicationsmay be made and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of the invention within the scope and spirit of the dis- -closure herein and the claims appended hereto.

Although I have shown a particular means to raise the airplane vertically free from the support 20, it is understood that any other means may be employed such as manual or foot operated means controlled from 'a point near the operator, or the airplane may be pivoted so that it is free entirely from the support 20.

By the use of the name Bowden casing or Bowden wire wherever it may appear in the specification and appended claims, it is understood that I do not restrict myself to that particular make as any wire free to slide within a casing is contemplated and intended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- 1. The combination with a universally pivoted model airplane, of means external of and mechanically associated with the model airplane for raising and lowering the latter, `and means external of the model airplane for turning in and tilting from the normal plane of flightLthe body of the model airplane.

2. The combination with a universally pivoted model airplane having ailerons, elevators and f rudder, of means external and mechanically associated with the model airplane for turning in and tilting fromthe normal plane of flight, the body ofthe model airplane, and means for causing the ailerons, elevators and rudder to assume positions relative to the body of the model airplane, corresponding Vto .actual positions thereof when an actual airplane is in ilight.

3. The combination with a universally pivoted model'airplane having ailerons, elevators and rudder, of means external of and mechanicallyv associated with the model airplane for raising and lowering the latter, means external of the model airplane for turning in and tilting from the normal plan'evof ight, the body of the model airplane, and, means for causing the ailerons, elevators and rudder to assume positions relative to the body of the model airplane, simulative of those similar elements would assume if the body' 145 of anactual airplane made similar Aturns or tilts in response to movements of the controls in actual ight. A

4. The combination with a universally pivoted Y model airplane having ailerons, elevators and 150 rudder, of mechanical instrumentalities for tipping the body of the model airplane to a plurality of angles relative to the normal level plane of flight means external of the model airplane to control said instrumentalities, and means to cause the ailerons, elevators and rudder to assume the positions relative to the body of the model,

plane in simulation to those that would normally be assumed by an actual airplane when it tips or turns at those angles in response to movements of l normal flight in response to the respective movey ments of the joystick and rudder bar, and means for automatically-causing the elevators, ailerons and rudder to assume the angular positions relative to the model airplane in simulation to those -that similar elements would normally assume inl response to the movements of the-controls of an actual airplane in actual night.

6. An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comprising a model of an airplane, a support on which the body of the model airplane is universally mounted to move lirnitedly in all directions with respect to a fixed center, and mechanically operating'means remote from and associated with the model airplane to directly actuate said body whereby various movements are selectively accom'plished.

prising a model of an airplane, a support on which the model airplane is universally mounted to tilt either end from a horizontal plane, to,roll with respect to its longitudinal axis and to rotate on .a transverse axis, and remote operating means to directly actuate the body .of the model airplane in a manner closely simulative of the movement of an actual airplane in flight.

8. An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comprising a model of an airplane having ailerons,

elevators and rudder xed externally of the model airplane, a support on which the model airplane is universally mounted to tilt either end from a horizontal plane, to roll with respect to its longitudinal axis and to rotate on a transverse axis, and remote operating means to directlyactuate the body ofthe model airplane in a manner closelyl to the body of the airplane, a joystick and a rudder bar remote from said model airplane, means including freely encased wires operatively associating said joystick and rudder bar with the model airplane, andmeans eccentric of the axis of the several elements connecting said rudder, ailerons and elevators to said member.

10. An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comprising -a model of an airplane having ailerons, elevators and rudder fixed externally of the model airplane, a conical support onwhich the model airplane is freely mounted on its center of gravity in substantially perfect balance, means for actuating the body of the model airplane at a point remote therefrom whereby the relative positions of the ailerons, elevators and rudder with respect to the bodyof the airplane can be demonstrated, means for confining the airplane on its support, and means for raising and lowering said support.

1l. An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comprising a model of an airplane having ailerons,

elevators and rudder fixed externally of the model airplane, a conical support on which the model airplane is freely mounted on its center of gravity in substantially perfect balance, andmeans for directly actuating the body of the model airplane at a point remote therefrom whereby the relative positions of the ailerons, elevators and .rudder with respect to the body of the model airplane can be demonstrated.A

.12. In combination, -a model airplane having relatively movable rudder, ailerons and elevators, a pivotal support on which said airplane mayturn and tilt, a joystick 'and a rudder control remote from said airplane, meansto operatively assoi y ciate said` joystick and rudder control with the 7.' An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comeral elements connecting said rudder, ailerons and elevators to the xed member whereby as the airplane is moved about its pivot, the rudder, ailerons and elevatorswill assume the angular positions relative to the airplane in simulation of those that they would normally assume in response to the movements of the control in actual flight.

13'. An apparatus for teaching aeronautics comprising a cabinet having a seat, hand and foot controls including a rheostat, a model airplane made to a reduced scale having propellers driven by electric motors by which the model airplane is raised when in operation, a source of electricity in circuit with such motors through said rheostat, a,conical support for said model airplane permitting raising,'lowering, tilting,and turning within prescribed limits, a member xed with relation to the body of the airplane, and means eccentric of the axis 'of the several elements connecting the rudder, vailerons and elevators of the airplane to said member. JOSEPH WEISINGER.` 

